<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000353230 <NAME> OMNICARE, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 119,882 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 256,476 <ALLOWANCES> 17,817 <INVENTORY> 98,018 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 490,761 <PP&E> 133,091 <DEPRECIATION> 46,206 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,338,234 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 137,395 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 82,919 <OTHER-SE> 728,419 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,338,234 <SALES> 299,752 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 299,752 <CGS> 212,734 <TOTAL-COSTS> 212,734 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 51,838 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,250 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,534 <INCOME-PRETAX> 32,090 <INCOME-TAX> 12,741 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 19,349 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 19,349 <EPS-PRIMARY> .23 <EPS-DILUTED> .23